Chubb said he was “very pleased” that Federal Education Minister, Christopher Pyne, was seeking the cooperation of state and territory leaders to develop a national STEM school education strategy.
“I have been saying for a long time that Australia needs to approach science and mathematics much more seriously than we ever have, and that these subjects should be part of every child’s education,” Chubb said in a statement.
“We live in a world utterly reliant on science to fuel its industries and provide for its people. In the future, science will only become a bigger part of our lives, and the impacts will touch us all.”
This week, Pyne announced a plan to make maths or science compulsory for all Year 11 and 12 students in an effort to address Australia’s sagging performance in those areas on the world stage.
“I note that Mr Pyne is expected to put a proposal to the Education Council Meeting this week to increase the extent to which science and mathematics may be compulsory in senior secondary years within an overall strategy,” Chubb said.
The plan comes after Chubb warned Australia risks “being left behind” in the innovation race, and called for Pyne to seek a mandate from his state counterparts to develop a strategy to restore the focus on science and maths in both primary and secondary schools.
“I also reiterate the position I have put forward many times: science and mathematics have to be so compellingly well taught that students will want to study them,” Chubb said.
“We need to support our teachers at all stages of their training and career to engage, inform and inspire. We can do it if we have the will.”